Qualification Entries (Valedico needs YOU!)

I have received three poems from three poets who wish to participate in the second round of my contest. I am going to post these below and I need you guys to tell me which one is the best and why. This thread will close at 11:00 GMT time and the winner will progress into my second round with the final OPTION.

You think you can do that? (: Awesome!

--
Poem 1: Perfect Christmas
Smells of cedar and cinnamon,
lights, flickering about.
Christmas songs play through static of our old radio.
Boxes of many colors and patterns,
laid across the floor.
A miniature train chugs along a set pathway,
completely surrounding the tree.
Cackling fire, surrounded by red stockings,
filled to the brim with trinkets.
A light dusting of snow covers the ground,
while more falls from the heavens.
Children outside, riding in a sleigh,
this is Christmas day.

--
Poem 2: Winter Solstice
Since the beginning of worship here
we have celebrated a time of year
in most of the northern hemisphere,
when the earth tilts farthest from the sun
and the winter solstice has just begun.
Our calendar starts with the birth of a Son.
That event was to become a common era to most.
Where the precious prince of paece is accepted as a divine host
it is the year of our Lord conceived by the Holy
Ghost.

--
Poem 3: Semi-detached
By the scent of pine and
cinnamon candles, the fire dances,
like the fairy lights
and children,
drunk on the nectar of youth.

And the old man next door,
pays silent piety to the darkness
of the house, empty,
just empty.

But the squeals of the children
tingle his ears and,
slowly,
he raises his tired eyes,
to look up.

--

Place your votes...
NOW!

=D

You can post your votes in this thread -- it'll be much easier for me. Thank you. :)

#3

#1

1

(Valedico needs YOU!)

^^you are just jealous from my Cindy's thread.

And I choose 1 because it felt so close to my heart with its warmth; despite the flow and word choice.
Just got to me deeper

I am torn between number one and three.

I think number three was a bit fast and sudden, though it is something I would have written, to be honest, and I like it's idea best. however, number 1 made the most out of the 75 words, read/flowed smoother and was better structured in my opinion.

so I'll pick #1.

I still love number 3 though. =[

Same here, Britt. Number 3 touched me more, but it had it's flaws, like being too short and not as tight and focused as one, so I didn't think it'll be fair picking it over 1.

No doubt if the author took it, edited and expended it, it will be great. It reminded me of Scrooge in A Christmas Carol.

I don't know how do judges manage, it's so hard. I feel horrible not being able to pick both, like something is eating at my conscience. both ways.

I liked #3 because it is not your typical Christmas poem, it was more like an awakening, many people feel lonely over Christmas, maybe because the kids have grown and gone their own way or you lost someone, it just resonates with me more this season.

Poem #1

A very descriptive poem, that highlights all that Christmas is about and that sets the reader in the mood for the event with just a few lines, really! So, cleverly done, flawless and top notch in my eyes, a definite win.

poem#2

The language is too formal, it describes Christmas in such an innate way, it does not arouse any feeling inside of me at all. It felt to me as if the poet was trying to show how much he knows about certain subjects, rather than show us his poetic qualities. It is more of a description than a verse. It is not bad, no typos or anything, so whomever you are that wrote this, don't be sad. Work on writing from the heart, explore the subject with your heart, rather than your brain.

poem #3

This was not a bad story, but it covers so little of what Christmas is all about. It is pale in comparison to the abundance of the images provoked in my head by the first verse. Also the language used is too matter-of-fact for my taste.

Same here Jenn =[

I did like number 3 more, actually most, but thought there was still too much to it that wasn't mentioned (and that it was more of rushed?). still, 1 read better to me, although it's idea and depth didn't touch me as number 3 did. and yes, indeed, it isn't your typical Christmas poem.

Write from the heart! Ah, all this time I've been writing from my Liver.
Balls.

ROFL

the answer should be HAVE A HEART!

Actually I think no one should judge on something like whether someone is writing from the heart or not, you didn't get inside their heads to know what they're passionate about and what they're not. you just didn't feel the write. say so.

FACT: We all write and explore with our brain. The heart is the blood pumper XD

Thing is Britt, just because it didn't move you or move me, doesn't mean it wasn't written from the heart. maybe you and the writer are not passionate about the same thing, do not share the same life and experiences to make you feel or relate to his piece, or the communication wasn't that effective though he poured his ''heart'' out.

Yes, actually I think the best poems I've read and those who have affected me most were written in a few minutes or close to that.

No problem, It happens all the time.

I vote #3. Not your typical Christmas poem, but held its spirit nonetheless. I enjoyed this author's take on it.

It's between 1&3

The lunatic that wrote #2 must have had an eclipse of the heart, soul, and mind to even care about the origin of christmas

Paece 1 thumb up
A mutual agreement
2: A telling off
3: A thanking
4: When a person place or thing is pissed.

The use of the urban word paece fits about as well in this redundant poem as christ fits in christmas today

I don't think #2 held exactly what one & three had, It didn't really capture my attention that well, #3 was good & probably the most creative of all, but was missing something it felt like, #1 really captured the true spirit of Christmas, even if it was maybe pushing to be a little cliche in wording and such.

I'll have to vote for #1.

#3

The structure is easiest to read - refined and splayed out instead of a a solid chunk. I also found this poem to be the most interesting and deep. In fact, I'm going to read it one more time.
Yeah, the imagery is nice and leaves gaps for your mind to fill in. Lots of different emotions too... sympathy, empathy, loneliness, loss, curiosity, hope.

I'm having a change of mind/heart and feeling guilty. I re-read the poems with the comments of everyone and reconsidered.

That being said, I withdraw my vote, I'm sorry Danny for the confusion.

I actually would love to see the author number 3 in the contest, I think they have more potential and creativity and would last longer, actually I'd like to see what they'll come up with.

I vote 3

^ you should not be influenced by others, be your own person.

#3

It takes you on a journey of the soul not the paper

Mmm ya feels like we have to be detailed with our reasons so I will try give my different feelings toward poem number one; because they don't match with the other opinions .. I voted for #1 cause it felt complete; unlike the 3rd poem.

It was richer; and actually shows Christmas Spirit in a better way.
Since as I know a good poet knows how to stay between the lines of a certain subject; especially when its given for them.

So as my personal opinion I feel that the 1st poem actually had the emotions that luna ( as a reader ) felt the poem lacks

And the emotional and warming part actually can be felt by me (as a reader as well) here

Christmas songs play through static of our old radio.
Boxes of many colors and patterns,
laid across the floor.

^^these simple things that pass this smiley feeling..Reminds me of Danny's Last poem..

almost using these simple details and this type of description which makes it well CLOSER to the readers heart.

And here

Cackling fire, surrounded by red stockings,
filled to the brim with trinkets...

I don't know I for "one" felt that these reflected a real emotional part behind it especially if we imagine how real this image usually is at this time of the year; despite that it ends leaving satisfaction.

Plus this happy mood...

Which i did not feel when i read the 2nd poem; and the third one.

This is closed!

Number 3 is the winner - congratulations!
Thank you to poet 1 and 2 :)

Britt, I changed votes without knowing Nikko would vote and 3 would win. I changed votes because I reconsidered and looked at it from another angel.

However someone has pointed it out for me that number 1 should have been eliminated anyway because it has 75 words exactly and the rule was UNDER 75 words.

Congrats to 3!

I didn't count her vote -- somebody brought it to my attention that poem 1 was 75 words towards the end of the round. It would've skipped my mind but I did specifically say a poem UNDER 75 words. It's my bad because I saw 75 when I checked.

Ah, well. It was a tough call though!

Hmm I think a lot of us would disagree with the decisions being made.

You made the rule Danny, I think you should have counted the words yourself, carefully and a few times to make sure the poems fit the description you were looking for....sorry no offense.

Oh dear guys, I'm human, I make one mistake and it's like I've committed a sin!

Struth...

Valedico's the host what he says is law..lets leave at that don't you think, or this argument could go on forever....

I've been nothing but fair through this whole contest. It was brought to my attention that a poem was 75 words when the guidelines state 75 words exactly is d.q worthy so #3 would win?
Nor changed her mind and if I'd counted that (which I didn't) #3 would've won aswell...
Of course it's fair, I just made a minor error and I've stated that it was my bad.

Britt, I think everyone can mistake or miscount? we're human after all. If it wasn't brought to our attention by someone no one wouldn't have noticed. I don't think anyone else did as well.

as to me, I changed my vote before this was closed and my vote didn't even at that time turn tables, I didn't know the outcome or result, I just felt uncomfortable and like I mis-voted/misjudged, and when I feel like that, I say I was and make amends. It's MY vote.

unless Danny has rules against changing my mind, reconsidering things after reading more into both poems and being convinced otherwise. then I stick to my decision.

''Valedico's the host what he says is law..lets leave at that don't you think, or this argument could go on forever.''

I think this is the first time you and I, Nicko, agree on something.

Why did the members get to vote instead of the judges....?

I'm slow at typing it seems, I was typing while you guys ''cleared'' it up. sorry? I even edited my post to quote Nicko afterwards.

and no, i'm not the contest holder, I said ''we're human after all'' as in we're prone to mistakes, we can all miscount. it's something we say here.

PLEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEE

CUUUUUUUUUUUUUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

CONGRATS for whoever who wrote poem # 3..
lolDanny just return the 3 poets haha..or please guys what's done is done..

let us allll move on

I think Valedico has lent a bit of his own twist to the contest, which is what he should do...makes it interesting

I never made a strict rule about it so I reckon it'd be cool for people to post their poems

Congrats #3. Sheesh, you guys like to complain :P Hahaha, I was scrolling through the thread and cracking up.
If Princess had changed her vote to Poem 2, I doubt anyone would've cared, but 'nuff said.
All 3 were lovely little writes and I hope all 3 writers continue writing and the 2 who did not make the cut will participate in the next contest.
Good stuff.

Charles Dickens-A Christmas Carol-

Very interesting Semi-Detached Deliverance
Kudos to the judges ..if this poem does not inspire tired eyes to look up ...go scrooge yourself!!!

Poem 3 was a relative winner.

Danny, don't quail if you fail. Stay strong and wear a sarong.

Anon is hard to beat because he has lots of relatives and friends

How is Nepotism possible where there are so many nome-de-plumes?

You must mean three was relatively worthy

I think it's more of the author's fault and not Danny's. They didn't follow the rule, they deserve it. but then again, I also think my vote should count. I don't see why it shouldn't.